Details
Reference number
414528
Salary
£33,834£37,718 (London minimum)A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
DFE - Strategy Group
Type of role
Policy
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
Location
Bristol - BS2 0EL, Leeds - LS1 4AP, London - SW1P 3BT, Manchester - M1 2WD
Please note Bristol and Leeds currently have site controls in place. Therefore, this location option is only available to existing DfE employees already assigned to this office location
About the job
Job summary
The UK's Policy Lab is a dynamic and inclusive organisation working across the whole of government. Our mission is to radically improve policymaking through design, innovation and people-centred approaches. We are looking for an ambitious research operations colleague to work on fast-paced projects centred firmly around citizens whilst bringing critical rigour to our project process and outputs. The ideal candidate will have excellent qualitative research skills with a focus on visual anthropology and film.
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
Policy Lab is based in the Department for Education (DfE) but works across the whole of government. At DfE we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active and vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Please note that we may recruit more than one individual. Applicants who are successful at the interview but not appointed to the role will be placed on a reserve list. They may be considered for future opportunities at Higher Executive Officer grades.
Job description
Policy Lab has a decade of experience working openly and collaboratively to address some of the UKs toughest policy challenges. Our team of around 30 people comprises experts in policy, lived experience research, experimentation, art, systems thinking, futures, technology and design (including co-design, graphic design and strategic design). Recent projects include work in multiple disadvantage, the governments new Opportunity Mission and protecting environmental sites. We operate on a cost recovery basis and are accountable to our varied commissioners.
We are looking for an ambitious HEO to join our dynamic project teams and further Policy Lab's ethnographic research practice. As an HEO Film Ethnography Producer and Researcher, you will be:
Leading research operations within projects, particularly those that use lived experience research:
- Leading on participant recruitment as well as participant handling and hosting throughout the project (including securing informed consent and managing participation incentives).
- Arranging and taking part in fieldwork and research interviews.
- Provide solutions to project leads for researchers and workshop organisers to carry out face to face and remote sessions efficiently and safely within shifting contexts, liaising with digital colleagues as needed.
- Managing project folders and hard drives during and after projects. This includes the management and archival of film footage.
Supporting across all stages within projects, particularly those that use lived experience research:
- Reviewing policy and background documents and pulling out key insights that contribute to baseline knowledge of policy areas at the start of a project.
- Liaising with commissioning policy teams to get relevant information from them about project activities.
- Liaising with research leads to support research design and the development of discussion guides.
- Supporting analysis with support from research. leads, including reviewing footage and transcriptions. Using coding and other forms of thematic analysis.
- Supporting aspects of Policy Labs project deliverables such as the creation of artefacts, presentations and project wrap ups.
- Providing project teams with a range of backstage project tasks, such as, travel booking, organising sessions and liaising with external project suppliers.
Supporting and improving research operations and data management across Policy Lab:
- Organising research data and liaising with the Knowledge Information Team to ensure preservation of all relevant Policy Lab data for the public interest.
- Being the point of contact for research data questions to support our work around data ethics, including anonymisation.
- Being the point of contact for GDPR questions across projects and ensuring GDPR compliance alongside government regulations.
- Taking an active role to improve research and data management processes across Policy Lab.
Contributing to Labs culture:
- Contributing to the Lab's vibrant studio culture at the heart of government and undertaking corporate tasks for the team and Department for Education.
Person specification
Essential experience:
- Either a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree in in social science, arts or communication (such as anthropology, sociology, human geography, film, media or similar) or extensive social research experience.
- Experience of research operations, including participant recruitment
- Experience of using audio-visual material in a research context. This could include production, direction, editing or filming.
Desirable experience:
- Experience of using ethnography in agency or policy setting
- Interest in or experience of visual ethnography and/or using creative research methods to amplify the voice of lived experience
- Experience of transforming and improving research operations set-up
- Report writing experience
- Project delivery, including strong multitasking skills.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed at interview, in the event of a tie break situation, to make an informed decision.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £33,834, Department for Education contributes £9,801 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Strengths and Experience.
Step 1: Application and Sift
We will ask you to submit a CV and a 500 word personal statement. The personal statement should demonstrate your experience in relation to the essential criteria listed above, as well as telling us more about you and the values and motivation you would bring to this role.
We will use your CV and personal statement to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.
Should we receive a high number of applications, we will perform an initial sift based on the experience you outline in your personal statement.
Step 2: Interview
If your application is successful for interview, you will be invited to interview either in-person or online.
During the interview, you will be asked to provide further evidence of your experience and will be questioned on your strengths.
Candidates will also need to prepare a 5-minute presentation, using any or no props/materials as you wish, to answer:
What would your skills, experience and interests offer to Policy Lab projects in the role of Film Ethnography Producer and Researcher?
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Other Information
In your application, please dont include personal information that identifies you.
This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment .
Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your:
- name/title
- educational institutions
- age
- gender
- email address
- postal address
- phone number
- nationality/immigration status
We understand that you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesnt include ideas or work that isnt your own. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own.
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Please refer to the attached Reasonable Adjustments Guide 05_2025 accessible version at the bottom of the advert, for further information.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Kyna Gourley
- Email : Kyna.GOURLEY@policylab.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk
Further information
The Department for Educations recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages
